So you’ve chosen to birth freely and undisturbed, congratulations! I am so excited for your decision. Feel free to refer to my resources list, where I share the resources that have helped me in my preparation journey for my freebirth.
Labor
- A guide for emergencies:
- Homebirth On Your Own Terms by Heather Baker (faith-based version here)
- Freebirth by Sarah Schmid
- Herbal education: Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun Weed
- Electrolyte drink (coconut water works great too, or water with honey and a pinch of salt)
- Snacks (easy to eat in labor)
- Birth pool or bathtub
- Exercise ball (make sure it’s the correct size for you. Your hips should be higher than your knees when sitting on it)
- Other labor coping tools if desired (labor comb, labor acupressure tool, rebozo, birth sling, tens unit (the brands Obi TENS and Elle TENS were designed specifically for labor)
- 4-6 Towels
- 15-25 Chux pads
- Fetoscope/Doppler (necessity depending on you)
- Battery operated tea-light candles (for a cozy atmosphere)
- Aquarium fish net (to catch feces in the water)
- Music speaker
Birth & Immediate Postpartum
For mom:
- Placenta bowl
- 2 Gallon bags for placenta
- Herbs:
- Angelica alcohol tincture (placenta release)
- Witch Hazel tincture (Excessive bleeding)
- Shepherd’s Purse or Flow Stopper tincture by Wishgarden (CAUTION: Shepherd’s Purse can cause excessive clotting when the source of hemorrhage is unresolved. Research thoroughly before using.)
- Yunnan Baiyou (Excessive bleeding after birth of placenta): vials here or capsules here. Also comes with a small red pill used for shock.
- Red Rasberry Leaf tea (with honey; immediate postpartum drink to support uterus shrinking)
- Peppermint essential oil (for the toilet bowl if unable to urinate)
- Manuka honey, seaweed, and/or herbal bath for tearing. Check out my guide here.
- Skullcap and Motherwort tinctures used together(Postpartum uterine cramping)
- Arnica homeopathic remedy (bruising, aching muscles, swelling) (“General guidelines for taking a homeopathic remedy include avoiding eating, drinking or having anything in your mouth 15-20min before and after taking your remedy. Only take the remedy when your mouth is clean, free of tastes, odors or smoke. Additionally, do not touch the remedy with your fingers or hands. It’s advised that you pour 3-5 pellets into the cap of the vial, and transfer from the cap directly into your mouth, under your tongue and allow to slowly dissolve.”)
- Gauze (to apply pressure in case of excessive bleeding)
- Large trash bag for chux pads and towels
- Hydrogen Peroxide (to get out blood stains on fabric)
For baby:
- Receiving blankets
- 2-3 Cord clamps, crocheted cord ties, or 100% beeswax candles to burn the cord
- Sharp sterile scissors (to cut the umbilical cord)
- Eldon card (if you are interested in baby’s blood type) + syringe needle (to take blood out of the cord/placenta)
- Scale (for baby’s weight)
- Measuring tape (for baby’s length)
- Commemorative certificate if desired
Postpartum for Mom
- Herbs:
- Crampbark, Skullcap and Motherwort tinctures used together (Postpartum uterine cramping)
- Magnesium lotion (on thighs to promote restful sleep and prevent muscle contractions (Charley Horse), or on tummy, rubbed in a clockwise directions to stimulate the bowels and relieve constipation)
- Nipple balm (for sore nipples)
- Marshmallow Root extract (for plugged ducts and mastitis)
- Sunflower lecithin or choline supplements (for plugged ducts and mastitis)
- Arnica homeopathy (bruising, aching muscles, swelling)
- Peri bottle
- Lots of bedside snacks (warm food and drinks aid in healing)
- Disposable underwear
- Pads & liners
- Haakaa (great to collect milk from other breast when nursing to save and to relieve engorged breasts. HIGHLY recommend from experience getting the haakaa with suction base and cap)
- Nursing bras (regular stretchy bras work well for many women)
- Reusable nipple pads
- Breastfeeding pillow
- Heating pad
- Night lamp
- Unscented body care products (to not interfere with nursing and bonding)
- Primally pure charcoal deodorant (the only deodorant that works for my postpartum body odor when going out)
- Baby Wraps & carrier
Postpartum for Baby & Infancy
- Herbs:
- Infant tummy relief (for gassy or upset tummies. Good for you or baby)
- Magnesium lotion (on thighs to promote restful sleep or on tummy, rubbed in a clockwise directions to stimulate the bowels and relieve constipation)
- Newborn diapers (good article here on nontoxic baby diapers. We use disposable diapers for the first month and then switch to cloth when I am ready to be on my feet again)
- Coconut or olive oil (for diaper changes)
- Baby wipes
- Sound machine
- Nail scissors
- Organic clothes
- Car seat (4 flame retardant free colors: Drift, Eclipse Black, Plum, and Cadet)
Disclaimer: This checklist is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. By using this resource, you acknowledge that all decisions regarding pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum are your own responsibility. Well Womanhood Wellness and Birth and Arianna Tomak assume no liability for any outcomes related to the use of this information.
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*Disclosure: I only recommend products I have used or would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
